Trump Bolsters DC Security After Brazen Shooting Near White House
In a decisive response to a shocking afternoon assault, US President Donald Trump has authorized the deployment of an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington DC. This move comes just hours after two soldiers from the West Virginia National Guard were shot in a brazen attack that sent ripples of alarm through the nation's capital.
The Attack: A Midday Ambush Steps from the White House
The incident unfolded around 2:15 PM local time on Thursday, at the entrance to the Farragut West Metro station. This location is critically situated just blocks away from the White House, highlighting the boldness of the assault. According to officials from the Metropolitan Police Department, the National Guard soldiers were conducting "high visibility patrols" as part of their duties when a suspect reportedly raised a firearm and opened fire on them.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth strongly condemned the act, stating, "This happened just steps away from the White House. It will not stand. And that's why President Trump has asked me... to add 500 additional troops, national guardsmen, to Washington, D.C." The two injured soldiers were confirmed to be members of the West Virginia National Guard by Governor Patrick Morrisey.
Expanding the Mission: What the National Guard is Doing in DC
The deployment of these 500 new personnel is an addition to the 2,000 National Guard troops already stationed in the city. President Trump had initially ordered this larger deployment back in August after assuming federal control of the city's police force, a move intended to strengthen the crackdown on crime.
Since their arrival, the troops have been tasked with a variety of roles aimed at increasing security and presence. Their duties have included:
- Patrolling key Metro stations and high-traffic tourist areas.
- Assisting with maintenance and trash cleanup around the National Mall.
- Conducting visible security patrols to deter criminal activity.
The force is a multi-state effort, with troops hailing not just from Washington DC itself, but from several other states including West Virginia, Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Legal Challenges and Political Fallout
This reinforcement of troops arrives amidst significant legal and political controversy. Just last week, a federal judge, Judge Jia M. Cobb, delivered a ruling that the president's use of the National Guard in this manner likely violated the law. The judge found that assembling troops from several Republican-led states under a central command in Washington constituted an unlawful use of the Guard.
While Judge Cobb issued a block on the deployment, she also stayed her own order, delaying its effect until December 11 to allow for "orderly proceedings." This legal battle forms a contentious backdrop to the ongoing security operations.
The Suspect and Trump's 'Act of Terror' Declaration
The suspected shooter, who was also shot during the exchange of gunfire with the National Guard members, was swiftly detained by federal authorities. He was later identified as 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal and was transferred to a local hospital for treatment.
President Trump, who was in Florida when the attack occurred, addressed the nation, labelling the shooting an "act of terror." In a strong statement, he connected the incident to broader immigration policies, urging a complete review of Afghan nationals admitted to the US.
"We must now reexamine every single alien who has entered our country from Afghanistan under Biden, and we must take all necessary measures to ensure the removal of any alien from any country who does not belong here or add benefit to our country," President Trump stated. He described the assault as a "monstrous, ambush-style attack" and a "crime against our entire nation."
As the investigation continues, this event has sharply intensified the debate surrounding national security, immigration, and the legal boundaries of presidential power in the United States.
